The Effect of Chemical Compounds from Cigarettes Smoke on First Trimester Biochemical Markers

Abstract

Previous studies showed that certain behavioral and physical parameters influence the concentration of first trimester biochemical markers. The scope of the present article was to study the relationship between smoking and first trimester screening biochemical markers and the capability of the software to counterbalance this influence. Concentrations of pregnancy-associated protein A (PAPP-A) and free β chorionic gonadotropin hormone (free β hCG) were measured in sera of 1554 first trimester pregnant women, 1349 of which were non-smokers and 205 were smokers. First trimester PAPP-A values are lower in smoking compared to non-smoking pregnant women (0.94±0.04 vs. 1.09±0.02, p=0.0004), since smoking seems not to influence free β hCG concentration (1.11±0.07 vs. 1.03±0.02, ns). The software used by us corrected successfully the effect of chemical compounds from cigarette smoke on PAPP-A values.

Influence of Weight of Pregnant Women on First Trimester Biochemical Markers Values

“…Accurate evaluation of aneuploidy risk by combined first trimester screening test implies the elimination of the effect of disturbing factors (smoking, ethnicity, method of conception, presence of diabetes or the weight of the pregnant woman) on biochemical markers concentration [1,7,8]. We herein analyze the effect of weight of pregnant women on PAPP-A and free β hCG seric concentration, and the availability of the risk calculation software to correct this effect.…”

“…Since the precision of risk evaluation depends on accuracy of corrected MoM values calculation, it is mandatory to appreciate the capability of the risk evaluation software to counterbalance the effect of factors other than the fetus which influence the MoMs [1,[7][8][9]. We found an inverse correlation between weight and biochemical markers concentration.…”

“…Studies showed that concentrations of biochemical markers are influenced not only by the status of the fetus but by some features of the pregnant women too. Studies analyzed physical and behavioral features of pregnant women that influence the concentrations of biochemical markers: smoking status [1,7,8], weight, rhesus group and localization of placental insertion [9], ethnicity or mode of conceiving. In order to counterbalance the influence of the factors described above on concentrations of biochemical markers values, compensatory mathematical algorithms were developed.…”